Fraser Forster nears Southampton deal

Forster, a part of the England squad that travelled to this summer's World Cup finals, is a target for Saints but the Scottish Premier League champions will not give a green light to the deal until after the second leg of their Champions League qualifier with Legia Warsaw on Wednesday.

TRANSFERS BY LEAGUE

Celtic trail their Polish opponents 4-1 from the first leg of the third qualifying round tie, with their exit from Europe's elite competition likely to signal the end of Forster's time at the club.

The 26-year-old's future in Glasgow may have already been offset by the Bhoys with the signing of Craig Gordon. St Mary's appears to be Forster's most likely destination, with his arrival likely to herald the departure of former Celtic keeper Artur Boruc from the Hampshire club.

Forster has never played a Premier League game despite being owned by Newcastle for six years.

Boruc was a key member of the Saints side that secured an impressive eighth-place finish in the Premier League last season, but sources say he has not impressed new Southampton manager Ronald Koeman during the preseason period and is expected to move on in this transfer window. Southampton club captain Kelvin Davis would be expected to remain as the club's No. 2 keeper in that event.

Forster's move will be delayed if Celtic turn around their Champions League qualifier against Legia Warsaw at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh on Wednesday as they would want him available for the subsequent playoff for a place in the group stage.